REMOVE TO THE SCOTT. 93 
there was no grass either, and we were consequently 
obliged to tie up our horses for the night. 
August 9. — The sheep had broken out of their 
yard, and could not be found this morning ; so send- 
ing the party on with the native boy as a guide, I 
remained behind myself with the overseer, to search 
for them ; they were soon found, and we moved on 
after the drays. In going up the watercourse 1 again 
found a native fire, where natives had been en- 
camped within a mile of us during the night, without 
our being aware of it ; so difficult is it always to 
know the proximity of these children of the wilds. 
Having overtaken the party, I conducted them to 
The Scott, at which we arrived early in the day, 
though the distance could not be less than 20 miles. 
At night a party of natives were seen near, but did 
not come up to us. 
August 10. — To day I prepared for another ex- 
ploration to the N. W. and had all our casks and 
kegs new coopered and filled with water, to make 
them water tight. I found it necessary also to have 
our horses new shod, which was the third set of 
shoes they had required in less than two months, in 
consequence of the hard and stony roads over which 
we had travelled. The natives were again encamped 
near us at night, but did not come up. 
August 11. — Leaving directions for the overseer 
to dig for water during my absence, I took a native 
boy and one man driving a cart loaded with water ; 
we had mustered all the casks and kegs in the 
